y 



E 511 
.5 

20ih 
.f13 
Copy 1 



REUNIONS 



OK THK 



iiventitth Paine llrgimcit 



ASSOCIATION, 



REUNIONS 



OF THE 



®w«?tttktlt ^mt pejtmcnt 





AT 



PORTLAND. 



Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 

Gettysburg, Rappahannoch Station, Mine Run, 
Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, 

North Anna, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, 

Weldon Railroad, Peebles Farm, Hatcher's Run, 

Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Appomattox. 



FROM THE PRESS OF 

SAMUEL L. MILLER, WALDOBORO, Me. 

188L 



,^/ 



iCZfr!^ 



c 



lo 



E ^1 1 



.f 



,M3 



X><u 



First Reunion at Portland, 



At the Grand Reunion of the Soldiers and Sailors of Maine 
in Portland, August 9th and lOth, 1S76, forty-six members of 
Twentieth Regiment were present. The roll call was as follows : 

Maj. Gen. J. L. Chambolain (Colonel). 
Brevet Lieut. Col. A. W. Clark. 
Brevet Brig. Gen. J. M. Brown (Adjutant). 
Brevet Maj. W. E. Donnell (Adjutant). 
Surgeon A. O. Shaw. 
Sni'geon W. H. True. 
Quartermaster Sergt. Lewis Hall. 
Hospital Steward, J. B. Wescott. 
Musician, Joseph Tyler. 



Lieut. Samuel L. Miller. 
T. S. Benson^"" 
J. C. Stevens. 
C. H. Cook. 



James K. Christopher. 



Company A. 

Henry M. Tozier.' 
George A. Winning. 
J. W. Gilman. 
G. T. Bacon. 

Company B. 

Charles Ritchie. 

Company C. 

Capt. R. B. Pluramer, 



Capt. L H. McDonald. 

Brevet Capt. J. H. Stauwood. C, C. Spaulding. 

A. C. Taylor. 

Lieut. Joseph Walker. 



William D. McKim. 



P. M. Morgan. 

Company D. 

P. S. Graham. 

Company E. 

E. R. Huston. 



FIRST REUNION OF THE, 



Company F. 



Brevet Maj. H. S. Melcher. J. E. DeWitt (color guard). 

G. G. Daniels. 

Company G. 
Lieut. .1. C. Rundlett. 

Company H. 

Brevet Maj. J. F. Land. A. C. Munsey. 

John Whittingham. 

Company L 

Brevet Maj. P. M. Fogler. W. M. Hitchcock. 

A, J. Tozier, (color Sergt.). Daniel Cleaves. 

Company K. 

Lieut. S. M. Wyman. C. M. Chase. 

F. A. Piper. ^. B. Libby. 

Scott Morse. Seward Field. 

Assistant Surgeon, N. A. Hersom, promoted to Surgeon of the 
IVth Regiment, was also present with his regiment. 

The members of the regiment, who arrived Wednesday, 
reported at Grand Army Hall, where the afternoon was passed 
in renewing acquaintances. At 4 P. M. the regiment formed 
under command of Brevet Lieut. Col. A. W. Clark, with Lieut. 
S. L. Miller as Acting Adjutant, and joined the column for 
escort duty, after which a collation was served by the city in 
City Hall. At 6 1-2 o'clock a column in three divisions was 
formed, each regiment wearing the badges and carrying the flags 
of their respective corps. There were about fifteen hundred 
veterans in line and it was said to be the most notable procession 
of men that ever marched in the State of Maine. 

The men were conveyed by the barge and steamers to Little 
Chebeague, an island in Portland harbor, where tents had been 
pitched and immense bonfires were burning. An artillery salute 
and fireworks welcomed the veterans to the island. 

After the supper of beans, brown bread, hard tack, cheese and 
coffee, the assembly was called to order and Gen. Chamberlain 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 5 

welcomed the guests Speech making was kept up till after two 
a. m., and the balance of the night was spent in '-howling." 

Thursday morning after the arrival of the 10.30 boat, the 
different regimental organizations got together and held their 
annual meetings. As tlie Twentieth had never formed an associa- 
tion, the time was deemed favorable to ])erfect an organization. 
Accordingly, the men gathered in a grove where Gen. Chamber- 
lain soon joined them. Bugler Tyler sounded the old 3d Brigade 

call, "Dan ! Dan ! Dan ! Buttertield !" and the Twentieth 
responded with three cheers for the Bugler and the famous old 

call; The organization was then jierfected by the choice of the 
following ofHcers : 

President — Molman S. JMelcher, Portland. 
Vice President — James B Wescott, Bath. 
. Secretar;/ and Treasurer — Samuel L. Miller, VValduboro. 

These officers constitute an executive committee with authority 
to act in all matters pertaining to the association. A communi- 
cation from Sergeants Daniel Donovan aud Ruel B. Jtmes, of 
Providence was read. Edmond M. Barton, Sanitary Inspector 
of the 5th Corpss, who had associated with the Twentieth during- 
the reunion, was chosen an honorary member. 

The "boys" spent a short time recalling some of the incidents 
of the war, after which an invitation was accepted for an hour's 
sail in Gen. Chamberlain's yacht, which was found in charge of 
Color Sergeant Andrew^ J. Tozier. The party returned in season 
to take part in the "Diess Parade and clam bake which followed. 
Seventeen hundred persons were fed at one time. At four o'clock 
the veterans embarked for the city and the grandest reunion 
since the muster out in 1865, came to an end. 



Second Reunion at Portland. 



The second reunion of the surviving members of the Twentieth 
Maine Regiment was held at Portland, Aug. 23, 24 and 25, 1881, 
in connection with the grand reunion of Maine Soldiers and 
Sailors. 

Through the efforts of Maj. H. S. Melcher, President of the 
regimental association, the veterans found upon their arrival four 
large tents arranged for their accommodation. The tents were 
decorated with a large campaign flag, Avhile a small national flag 
and guidons bearing the division badge, the red Maltese cross, 
were stacked in front, and in large letters appeared "Headquarters 
20th Maine Regiment." The headquarters tent was furnished 
with chairs, table, writing material and a book for registering 
names. The other tents were arranged for sleeping purposes. 
As the survivoi-s of the Twentieth arrived at headquarters the 
greetinsfs were most cordial. Comrades of many a weary march 
and hard fought battle, who had not met. foi- sixteen years renewed 
their acquaintances and told agam the stories of the war. As the 
veterans reported, their names were registered until one hundred 
and tliirty-seven names appeared upon the roll. Several failed to 
register, so that the total number present at the second reunion 
of the Twentietl) was at least one hundred and forty. The names 
and ])resent residences of those registered were as follows : 

Joshua L. Cliamberlain, Colonel, Brunswick. 

J. Marshall Brown, Adjutant, Portland. 

Wm. H. True, Surgeon, Portland. 

Lewis Hall, Quartermaster Sergeant, North Warren. 

James B. Wescott, Hospital Steward, Bath. 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 



Company A. 



Isaac S. Bangs, Waterville. 
Thomas S. Benson, Sidney. 
Maxcy Hanilen, Albion. 
John Kinir, West Waterville. 
Geo. B. True, Dexter, Me. 
Josiah Soule, Sidney Centre. 
A. W. Lewis, Boothbay. 
F. H. Emery, l\irner's Falls. 
Andrew Bradbury, Freeport. 
C. H. Pennell, Brunswick. 

G. B. Hardinor. 102 



Samuel L. Miller, AValdoboro. 
D. J. Lewis, West Waterville. 

F. True, Charlestovvn, Mass. 

G. T. Bacon, Jacksonville, Fla. 
C. H. Bartlett, Sidney Centre. 
Willian Elwell, address omitted. 
W. E. Willey, West Waterville. 
J. W. Gilman, West Waterville. 
J. W. Morris, Cumberland Mills. 
J. IL Hatch, Biddeford. 

Essex St., Chelsea, Mass. 



Company B. 



W. H. Owen, Milo, 
Allen H. Smith, Pittsfield. 
T. F. Hodgdon, Milo, 
E. P. Kuwell, Montville. 
Albion Robbins, Saco. 



W. L. Freese, Deering. 
J. A. Philbrook, Portland. 
S. L. Warner, Dextei-. 
L. P. Hendern, Hallowell. 
Chas. N. Allen, Montville. 



N. Keene, East Jefferson. 



Company C. 



A. M. Bean, Bethel. 

G. M. Tarbox, Mollis Centre. 

J. H. Spinney, Calais. 

C C. Spaulding, Buckfield. 

J. H. Stanwood, Waldoboro. 

A. B. Latham, West Auburn. 



C. C. Allen, Norwav. 

L. B. Heald, Sumner. 

C. C. Gammon, Buckfield, 

John E. Carlton. Andover. 

J. S. Hodgdon, East Sumner, 

Edmund DeCoster, Buckfield, 



P. C. Morgan, Gorham, N. H. Geo. V. Mills, South Waterboro. 
Caleb Besse, Bryant's Pond. 

R. B. Plumer, 34 F St., South Boston, Mass. 



Company D. 



Joseph Walkin-, Portland. 
Amos G. Grover, Portland, 
E, S. Coan, Gai-land. 
John E. Strout, Raymond. 
T, A, Coombs, Brunswick, 



P, S, Graham, Cumberland Mills. 
F. H. Reed, Falmouth, 
F. S. Hunnewell, Portland, 
John S. Stevens, Warren, 

Eben Leighton, Cumbei-land Mills. 



8 , second reunion of the 

Company E, 

Samuel L. Messeiv Fnioii. Cyrus G. Stewart, North Union. 

P. Mann, Gloucester, Mass. Alex. Stinson, Portland. 

Wm. K. Bickforcl, Thoniaston. W. H. Levensaler, Waldoboro. 

E. S. Levensaler, Waldoboro. Barden Turner, Waldoboro. 

Orchard F. Mank, Waldoboro. L. D. Benner, Galesburg, 111 

Albert Hatch, Bristol. Fiank C. Harding, Goi-hani. 
Charles A. Whitney, Etna. 

W. A. Cole, South E'rarningham Mass. 

CoMPANV F. 

A E. Fernald, Winterport. Holman S. Melchcr, Portland. 

Steadman Hatcli, Harmony. A. D. Boothby, Sou^Ji Livemore. 

J. R. Martin, Foxcroft. Sullivan Johnson, St. Albans. 

Jacob P. Smith, Dexter. J. E DeWitt. Natick, Mass. 

Frank B. Ward, Skowhegan. B. D. Libby, Wellington. 

O. Bussell, Wellington. Geo. G. Daniels, Lewistou. 

J. M. Stone, Sonier\ ille, Mass. Henry Obin, Brunswick. 

Lyman Rowe, Canaan. O. P. i^Iartin, Foxcroft. 

Company G. 

C. E. Hoyt, Fort Fairfield. Alvin Butler, 3It. Vernon. 

J. D. Williams, Alna. S. T. Lowell, Sheepscot. 

A. n. His(;ock, Damariscotta. L A. Macurda, Wiscasset. 
G. P. Hutf, East Pepperell, Mass. 

Company II. . 

F. JNI. Rogers. Topsliam. A. G. Munsey, Livermore Falls. 
Henry M. Holmes, Milton. Daniel J. Prescott, Portland. 
Henry M. Giiggs, Brownfield. W. D. Ring, Freeport. 

Arnold J. Deering, 115 Middle St., Portland. 

Company I. 

Emerson Creiglitou, Warren. G. L. Witham, West Southport. 
J. L. Bradford, Union. Edward Light, Wasliiugton. 

T. E. Arnold, Chelsea, Mass. George N. Grant, Hallovvell. 
Andrew J. Tozier, Great Chebeague Isle. 

Company K. 

S. B Libby, Durham. Ira M. Field, Freeport. 

Seward Field, Bath. E. M. Kellar, Thomaston. 

G. W. Cobb, Brunswick. Joseph Fuller, Brunswick. 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 9 

J. H, Miller, Lewiston. . Joseph Tyler, Portland. 

Robert Anderson, Rockland. Winfield S. Morse, Biddefoid. 
C. M. Chase, Freeport. Lyman B. True, Yarmouth. 

S. M. Wyman, Auburn. W. H. Worthing, Cundy Harbor. 

A. D. Alfixander, North Harpswell. 

The following names were registered with the letter of the 
company omitted : 

A. H. Philbrick, Salem, Me. W. H. Wentwort, no address. 

C. H. Watson, Hallo well. Walter Harding, Gorham, Me. 

E. B. Hopkinson, Chicopee, Me. 

E. M. Barton, of Worcester, Mass., well-known to the soldiers 
of the 1st Division, 5th Corps, registered as an honorary member 
of the association. Several names were repeated on the register 
and it is probable that some errors and omissions occur in the 
above list. 

The Twentieth participated in the general exercises of the 
camp until Wednesday evening, when the special exercises 
arranged by the Executive Committee of the Association occurred. 
At half-past seven the regiment, led by Chandler's Band, marched 
to the grand tent. The Portland Press of the next morning said : 

"The chief event of the evening was the reunion of the Twen- 
tieth Regiment, the gallant body of men which Chamberlain led 
to Little Round Top, and whose obstinate hold of that important 
position baffled the plans of Lee and made the battle of Gettys- 
burg a Union victory. The meeting was held in the great Yale 
tent. Long before the hour for the exercises came the tent was 
filled by interested spectators, and the grey-bearded "boys" with 
the red Maltese cross upon their caps, found difficulty in making 
their way within hearing distance." 

Not less than two thousand veterans and visitors were assembled 
around the stand when Maj. H. S. Melcher, President of the 
regimental association, called the meeting to order and requested 
Joseph Tyler, the old bugler of the Twentieth, to sound the 
brigade call. As the ringing notes of "Dan, Dan, Dan, Butter- 
tield, Butterfield !" burst upon the evening air the veterans broke 
into cheers in which the audience enthusiastically joined. Maj. 



] SECOND REUNION OF THE 

Melcher thon very happily referred to the old battle flag of the 
regiment which had been promised for this occasion As 
Coj)oral Coan came forward with the tattered flag bourne by the 
Twentieth through the storm of iron and lead at Gettysburg, it 
was greeted by another cheer, and the band struck up "Rally round 
the Flag." This flag at Gettysburg was carried by Sergt. Andrew 
J. Tozier and Dr. E. S. Coan was the only surviving member of 
the color guard at Gettysburg present on this Occasion, and to him 
the flag was formally eritrusted for the' remainder of the reunion. 
The President then read a poem, written by a Portland lady 
and dedicated to the 1 7th and 20th regiments as they marched 
throuo-h the streets of Portland with their tattered flao-s on their 
return from the war in 1865. At the close of the readino; of the 
poem, the historian of the Twentieth, Samuel L. Miller, was 
introduced and delivered the following 

ADDRESS : 

Comrades of the Tu'eutletJt : 

It is now nineteen years since you were sworn into the service 
of the United States as members of the Twentieth Maine Infantry ; 
more than sixteen years have elapsed since your military service 
expired. These fleeting years of toil and care have sprinkled 
many of your heads with gray. The youthful recruit of '62 
appears to-night in the vigor of manhood, and the middle-aged 
vetei'an ofFredericksl)urg, Gettysburg, ^Vilderness, Petersburg 
and Appomattox already feels the inlirmities of age creeping on. 
Another generation is growing up around you, and your children 
and your children's children ai'e eagerly listening to the story of 
your marches, your battles and youi' encampments. Comrades, 
this is the story it is my proud privilege to recall to your minds 
to-nig^ht. 

With you enlistment was no holiday affair. For more than a 
year the war had raged. It had been a year f rauirht with disaster 
at least tt» the Union armies in Virginia. The advance upon 
Richmond from the Penin?;ula had been repulsed, and the troops 
of McClellan had been driven back with terrible loss. The second 
battle of Bull Run had been fought, but three days before you 
left the State, and the victorious army of Robei't E. Lee was 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 11 

already preparing to invade the free States. With a knowledge 
of these terrible events fresh in your minds, fully realizing the 
dangers and suffering before you and prepared to face death in 
any form, you moved to the front. 

To give the full particulars of every march, encampment, 
skirmish and fight in the history of the Twentieth Regiment 
would fill volumes, and is not within the scope of an evening's 
address. I ask you, therefore, to overlook any seeming omissions 
or too brief representation of important events. 

The Twentieth Maine Infantry was the last of tlie tliree years' 
regiments raised in pursuance of the requisition and authority of 
the President of the United States, dated July 2d, 1862. The 
regiment appears to have been formed Irom detachments of 
men enlisted f(M- the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eig-hteenth and 
Nineteenth, and afterwards found to have been unnecessary to 
complete those organizations. A large proportion of the men 
were enlisted before the order for the foi-mation of the Twentieth- 
Regiment was promulgated. The authority for the organization 
was as follows : 

Headquarters Adjutant General's Office, I 
Augusta, August 7, 1863. ) 

GENERAL ORDER NO. 36. 

The Secretary of War having requested that another regiment of Infantry be 
organized from the enlisted men of Maine's quota of an additional 300,000 volunteers, 
called for by the President, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief orders and 
directs that all companies already enlisted for new regiments under this call, and 
which shall be hereafter designated, the same not necessarily comprised in the 
organization of the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth regiments 
of Infantry, report to Col. E. K. Harding, Asst. Q. M. General, and go into camp at 
the rendervous established for this regiment (the Twentieth of ?Taine Volunteers) 
at Island Park near Portland, on or before the 13th inst., where quarters and 
subsistence will be provided. The organization of this regiment will be completed 
forthwith. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief, 

JOHN L. HODSDON, Adjutant General. 

On the llth of August, in pursuance of this order, squads of 
recruits beiian to arrive in camp, afterwards known as "Camp 
Mason," and in a few days the ranks of the Twentieth regiment 
were fidl. Adelbert Ames, of Rockland, a graduate of West 
Point, who had already acquired a reputation for inilitary skill 
and bravery, was commissioned Colonel ; Joshua L. Chamberlain, 
of Brewer, Professor of Modern Languages in Bowdoin College, 
Lieut. Colonel; and Charles D. Gilmore, of Bangor, Captain of 
Company C, Seventh Maine, Major. 



12 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

The Twentieth was supplied with an English arm, known as 
the Entield Rifle Musket, with the regulation equipments, and 
the uniform consisted of the usual fatigue cap, blue frock coat, 
with the t</?,usual dark bhie trowsers. 

The men having received slight instruction in the ''School of 
the Soldier," were mustered into the service of the United States 
by Capt. Bartlett, 12th U. S. Infantry, on the 29th, at which 
time the regiment numbered 965 officers and men. On the 
morning of the 2d of September the comfortable quarters at 
Camp Mason were abandoned, and the regiment quietly took its 
departure for Boston by rail, where it embarked on the steamer 
"Merrimac" and sailed the next morning for Alexandria, Virginia, 
arriving on the afternoon of the 6th. Sunday, the Vth, the 
Twentieth proceeded to Washington by stearnei- and occupied 
grounds near the arsenal. Haviug been assigned to Butterlield's 
famous "Light Brigade" of Morrell's Division, Porter's Corps, 
the regiment moved about sunset on the 8th, crossed Aqueduct 
bridge over the Potomac and marched to Fort Craig, Arlington 
Heiuhts. This moonlight march of four or five miles was our 
fii-st experience, and the soldier's privilege of gi'unibling was 
freely iiidulged. Looking back through the vista of years, it 
does not strike us as at all surprising that Col. Ames, disgusted 
with the conduct of his command on that occasion, should have 
exclaimed : "If you can't do any better than you have to-night, 
you better all desert and go hcmie !" 

The brigade to which the Twentieth had been assigned Mas 
composed of the Twelfth, Seventeenth and P'orty-Fourth New 
Yoik, Eighty-Third Pennsylvania and Sixteenth Michigan, and 
was then under the command of Col. Stockton of the Sixteenth. 

Sei,)tember ]2th the brigade crossed the Potomac to George- 
tovvi! and started on the foi'ced march to Antietam. That nio-ht, 
after a march of sixteen miles, scarcely a corporal's guard of the 
Twentieth stacked arnies wlien the bi-igade went into camp. The 
stragglers, however, came up in a few hours and the regiment 
marched with full ranks the next morning. On that day a march 
of twenty-four miles was made, and, duimg the day, a majority 
heard the distant roar of battle for the first time. The regiment 
marched through Frederick on the moining of the L5th and 
bivouacked that night at Middletown, arriving near Sharpsburg 
the next evening. The next morning the Twentieth moved 
forward with the brigade and took a position in reserve near the 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 13 

centre, east of Antietam Creek. During the afternoon of the 
I 7th our brigade and another were ordered to the right to suppoit 
troops in that quarter. The emei-gency having passed the Twen- 
tieth returned to the former position, and the men lay on their 
arras that night. The next morning the l)rigade took up a 
position in the rear of Burnside, on the left. The infantry of 
Porter's corps took no active part in the battle of Antietam, but 
the position it held during thateventfu day was a most important 
one. 

On the 19th the command moved forward through Sharpsburg 
to Shepherdstown Ford, where the main body of the rebel army 
had~crossed the Potomac. The next raornin<>- MorrelTs division 
and a portion of Sykes' made an attempt to cross over and drive 
the enemy from their position. Sykes' division and the first and 
second brigades of our division, with a ])ortion of the third, 
inchiding the Twentieth, had crossed and pushed out a shoit 
distance, when the enemy developed such force that a retreat was 
ordered During the recrossing of the ford under a sharp and 
sevej'e fire from the rebels, who now lined the bank, the Twentieth 
was kept in excellent order and discipline, and the conduct of^the 
regiment, for the first time under fire, was noticed and much 
praised. As sooi: as the regiment recrossed it was formed along 
the canal bank, and kept up a hot fire with the enemy across the 
river. 

The Twentieth being a portion of the force left to guard the 
upper Potomac, remained near Shepherdstown three weeks. On 
the 7th of October the brigade moved to the Iron Works, near 
the mouth of Antietam Creek, where it remained till the 30th. 
Colonel Ames now found an opportunity to give the regiment a 
tast(- of discipline and drill which it so much needed. Company 
and battalion drill, dress parade and inspection kept the men 
from idleness, and the line officers were obliged to apply them- 
selves to the study of tactics until they become proKcient in the 
manual of arms and in all the evolutions of the company and 
battalion. Col. Ames was an educated soldier and a rigid disci- 
plinarian, and although at times his orders were severe in the 
extreme, yet the soldierly bearing of the regiment soon became 
conspicuous, and without question much of the fame which the 
Twentieth Maine afterwards achieved, was due to the sense of 
subordination and attention to duty, instilled by the teachings of 
its first commander. 



14 8EC0XD REUNION OF THE 

The hardships to which the men had been exposed, the furccMl 
march, the change of climate and above all the failure to supply 
the regiment with shelter tents, now began to show its results in 
the long list of sick borne upon the rolls. It is almost incredible 
but nevertheless true, that, when the advance was made into 
Virginia from Antietam, the Twentieth sent away three hundred 
invalids, and many of those who remained on duty were reduced 
to a condition from which they did not recover for months. 

October 30th the regiment broke camp and marched in the 
direction of Harper's Ferry. The next day the Potomac and 
Shenandoah were crossed, and the column ha\ ing wound around 
the base of Loudon Heigh.ts, continued the luarch down Loudon 
Valley. While the army was moving south through this beautiful 
valley, the enemy was moving up tlie Shenandoah on the other 
side of the Blue Rid:>e. November 2d an advance corps had a 
fight with them at Snicker's Gap, and that night we camped near 
a village .vith the euphonious name of "Snickersville." On the 
6th, marched throuiih Middleburg, where eight months latei- the 
Twentieth and the Third Brigade had a spirited brush with the 
enemy. The next day the march was interrupted l)y a snow 
storm, and the troops camped in the woods near White Plains. 
November 9th we went into camp at Warrenton and remained 
till the 17th, during which time Gen. McClellan was superceded 
by Burnside, and a general reorganization (^f the army followed. 
Continuing the march, the Acquia Cre-'k llailroad svas reached on 
the 24lh, at a point three miles from Fredericksburg, afterwards 
well-known to you as "Stoneman's Switch," where the regiment 
settled down to the monotony of camp and picket duty for three 
weeks. 

At daylight on the morninu- of December 1 1, we marched in the 
direction of Fredericksburg, but did not cross the river till 2 
o'clock on the afternoon of the 13th. Passing through the tovvn 
under a terrible fire of shot, shell and railroad iron, the Twentieth 
formed and advanced across the field, while the enemy poured 
upon them a terrific fire of musketry and artillery. With Colonel 
Ames gallantly leading in advance of the colors, the Hue moved 
in admirable order over fences and obstructions, through the 
ranks of troops lying down, until the extreme front was reached. 
Relieving those already engaged. Colonel Ames placed his men 
as much under covei- as possible, and held his positi(ui for thirty- 
six hours, constantly under fii-e. During the night of the 14th 



TWENTIETH MAIJSfE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 15 

the britiade was withdrawn from the front and bivouacked on tlie 
pavements of the city. The next night they were again moved 
to tlie front, and it soon became known that the movement was 
designed to cover the retreat of the ai-niy. The men were kept 
in position uniil the troDps wei'e all over, wlien they too 
approached the pontoons, and just at dawn of day reached the 
north bank in safety. Tlie small loss which the Twentieth 
suffered at Fredericksburg may be attributed largely to the 
skillful manner in which the regiment was handled by Colonel 
Ames. With weary steps and thankful hearts, the Twentieth 
Maine found its way through mud and rain to their old camp- 
ground and went into winter quarters. At Fredericksburg many 
of the men exchanged their Eiilield for Springfield rifles, and in a 
short time the whole regiment was supplied with those muskets. 

The duties of camp and ))icketing a few miles to the rear, were 
interrupted December 30th by a recounoissance to Richard's 
Ford, and the celebrated "Mad March" January 2-tth, 1863. 
Towards spring by an egregious blunder the men were iniioculated 
with small pox, and on that account the regiment was moved on 
the 22d of April to isolated cam;). On the 27th the Fifth Corps 
moved to Chancellorsville, and Colonel Ames volunteered as an 
aid on the staff of Gen. Meade. May 3d the Twentieth was 
ordered to Banks' Ford to uuard the telegraph, returning to its 
former camp after the battle. 

May 21st the regiment moved with the brigade three miles to 
the right, and went into a pleasant camp. Colonel Ames having 
been promoted to Brigadier General, the command of the Twen- 
tieth devolved upon Lieut. Col. Chamberlain, who was soon after 
commissioned Colonel. About this ti ue i^ol. Strong Vincent of 
the Eighty-Third replaced Col. Stockton in the command of the 
brigade. Lieut. J. M. Brown, the efficient adjutant of the Twen- 
tieth, was pri)moted to Captain and A. A. G. The Second Maine 
Regiment having been mustered out, one hundred and t veiity-five 
men, who had enlisted for three years, were transferred to the 
Twentieth, and joined the reu'iment at this camp on the 23d. 
Thes'd men expected to be discharged with their regiment and at 
first refused duty, but finally accepted the situation and became a 
valuable acquisition to the command. 

May 28th the brigade was ordered to guard the fords of the 
Rappahannock, the position of the Twentieth being at United 
States Ford. June 5th another move was made to Ellis Ford. 



16 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

In a I'fw days it became known that the array of Lee Avas moving 
north, and the army of the Potomac entered upon those movements 
which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg. At dark on tlie 
]3th the Twentieth broke camp and joined the brigade at Morris- 
ville, marching the next day to Catlett's Station. The day 
following, you will remember as one of the hottest days of your 
experience. The regiment marched to Manassas Junction. Sun- 
strokes were frequent, and the men were weary, thirsty and 
footsore when they bivouacked that night 

June 17th the column marched to Gum Springs, and on the 
19th to Aldie, where the cavalry liad fought and driven back the 
rebels under Hampton and Stewart. The Third Brigade, having 
been selected to support the cavalry in a further advance, was 
put in motion at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 21st and 
marched to Middleburg, where tlie cavalry was already advancing. 
The force of the enemy was two brigades of cavalry supported 
artillei-y, which the Third i->rigade was raiinly instrumental in 
driving from one position to another, behind stone walls and 
creeks for some six miles. During this running fight o^" ten hours 
duration, the Tvventieth lost one man killed, and one officer and 
seven men wounded. The next day tlie brigade returned to its 
former camp at x\ldie. During this movement the Twentieth 
was commanded by Ljeut. Col. Connor of the Forty-Fourth New 
York, ('Olonel Chamberlain being sick from a partial sunstroke. 

The Twentieth reiiained at Aldie until June 25th, when it 
marched through Leesbuig to the Potomac and crossed at 
Edwards' Ferry. Continuing the march on the following day, it 
forded the Monocacy rivei- and camped within two miles of 
Frederick foi- two days. At this time Gen. IVFeade was made 
commander of the Arrny of the Potomac, and Gen. Sykes suc- 
ceeded to the command of the Fifth Corps. On the 29th the 
mar(di was resumed tlirough Frederick to LMiionville. On the 
last day of June a niovenient was made by a portion of the Fifth 
Corps to intercept the enemy or ascertain his position. The 
Third Brigade took the advance, and marcned with skirmishers 
in front during the afternoon, and camped tliat night about three 
miles from the Pennsylvania line. On the 1st of Jidy, having 
crossed the state liue amid great enthusiasm, the column [iressed 
on and late that afternoon reached Hanover. Halting two hours, 
the march was continued by moonlight, the music of the bands 
mingling with the cheers oi the soldiers. At midnight the 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 17 

exhausted troops went into camp, after a march of thirty-two 

miles. 

At daylight on the morning of the 2d the troops were again in 
motion, and at an early hour arrived within supporting distance 
of ),he forces engaged at Gettysburg. At four o'clock in the 
afternoon the Third Brigade was hurried a mile or more to the 
left under a heavy artillery lire, and the Twentieth, moving "on 
the right by file into line," took position in the woods on the crest 
of ,a small hill, now known as "Little Round Top." The position 
held by the Twentieth was the extreme left of the Union line, 
and of great importance. Company B. was sent forwaid as 
skirmishei"s, but had not deployed when brisk firing commenced 
(m the right, and a large force of the enemy was soon seen 
marchinii; rapidly to the left through the ravine in our front. 
So rapid were their movements tliat the skirmishers were cut off, 
and were obliged to secrete themselves behind a stone wall. To 
avoid being flanked, C'olonel Chamberlain moved his left wing to 
the left and rear, making nearly a right angle at the colors. This 
disposition had scarcely been made when the enemy fell upon the 
left with great fury. The struggle was desperate, now one party 
and now tlie other holdiu'^' the ground. The ammunilion of the 
Twentieth was nearly expended when the enemy gave way. 
The men had scarcely time to collect cartridges from the boxes 
of the dead and wounded before the assault was renewed appar- 
ently by fresh troops. The Twentieth had now lost nearly half 
its number and began to waver. At this moment Col. Ch;imbe;-- 
lain ordered the charge. Advancing on the run the Twentieth 
completely routed the enemy and at the opportune moment the 
skirmishers arose from behind the stone wall and gave them a 
volley. Thinking .themselves surrounded large numbers threw 
down their arms and surrendered. After driving the enemy 
neai'ly half a mile the regiment returned to its old position. 
Having received a supply of ammunition the Twentieth support- 
ed by two )-egiments of Pennsylvania reserves, advanced up the 
steep and rocky sides of Big Round Top and secured a position 
which they held during the night with the aid of the Eighty- 
Third which came up later. The Twentieth went into the fight 
with 358 muskets and captured 308 prisoners. The regiment lost 
32 killed, 97 wounded and 6 taken prisoners on the skirmish line 
in the night. Detatchments sent out to bury the dead counted 
in front of the position occupied by the Twentieth on Little 
Round Top fifty lebel dead and it is estimated that the regiment 



18 SECOND EEUNION OF THE 

killed and wounded at least 300 of the enemy. The colors of the 
regiment were carried by Sergt. Tozier and although exposed on 
the angle of the line the sergeant and two of the four guards es- 
caped without even a scratch. The splendid fighting qualities 
developed by the Twentieth Maine on the 2d day of July, gave 
it a brilliant reputation throughout the army and gained for 
Joshua L. Chamberlain the well-deserved title of "Hero of Round 
Top." 

On the morning of the 3d the brigade was relieved and. moved 

to the rear of the left centre and lay in reserve during the day. 
At two o'clock in the aftei'noon the enemy open upon our lines 
the most terrific artillery fire ever heard in battle. For two hours 
the earth trembled and the air was filled with shot and sliell. 
"Then shook the hills, with thunder riven 

And louder than- the holts of heaven, 
Far flashed the red artillery." 
During the night of the 4th Lee's army retreated and towards 
the close of the next day we were aijain moving south. Nothing 
of importance occurred except hard marching through rain and 
mud till the 10th when Company E. had two men killed and six 
captured in a skirmish near Fair Play, Maryland. During the 
night of the 13th the enemy made its escape across the Potomac 
and the expected battle did not occur. The next day the Fifth 
corps moved to Williamsport and on the Iftth crossed the Poto- 
mac at Berlin and encamped at Lovettsville eight miles south of 
the river. The march was continued down the valley to the 28d 
when our division relieved the Third corps at Manassas Gap. 
The next niorning tlie whole di\isi()n was drawn up in line of 
battle and word was passed along the lines that the heights in 
front were to be taken at all hazards. Wapping Heights pro\ed 
to be the most dithcult place o\er which troops ever advanced in 
line of battle. Up the almost perpendicular hill, through woods 
and tangled underbrush, the men toiled — and picked blackberries 
— expecting the enemy to opi'u tire ai eveiy step. ''I'he summit 
was finally reached but the eiiumy had fled. The magnificent 
view of the Shenandoah valley obtained from the heights par- 
tially repaid the mm for the ascent. The "recall" was sounded 
and the line faced about and mai'ched two miles to the rear. 
On the '25th the march was resumed, and on the 7th of Ausfust the 
regiment arrived at Beverly Ford, which the brigade guarded till 
the 16th of September. The command of the brigade having 
devolved upon Col. Chamberlain by the promotion of Col. Kice, 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 19 

Lieut. Col. Gil more assumed command of the Twentieth. 

September 16th the army advanced to Culpepper where it 
remained in camp till October loth, when the Fith Corps moved 
to Raccoon Ford on the Riipidan, out finding no enemy returned 
to camp at night. Tlie next day tlie enemy having threatened 
our right flank, the army began to fall back to preserve its line 
of communication. That night we camped at Beverly Ford. In 
the morning we retraced our steps, crossed the river, advanced 
nearly to Brandy Station and bivouached for the night. It was 
now ascei'tained that Lee was moving lapidly ai'ound our right 
and at one o'clock on the morning of the 13th the race for Cen- 
treville began. That night we camped at Catlett's Station having 
marched twenty-tive miles. The bugle sounded "revelie" at 
an early hour the next morning and the march was i-esumed. 
Near Bristoe Station the division halted an hour for coffee and 
"hard tack" which had hardly been disposed of when a rel)el bat- 
tery opened upon us from the woods. The division pulled out 
hurredly and the inarch from this point to Manassas was rapid 
and the Hies were well closed up. Arriving at Manassas, the 
corps was formed in line of battle with batteries in position and 
remained till late in the afternoon listening to the roar of battle 
some two miles south where the Second corps under Warren was 
engaged — and all the while we were wondering why we had hur_ 
ried away from them. About the time that Warren had whi[). 
})ed Hill the F^ifth corps was started on the double quick to his 
assistance. At nine o'clock the corps moved towards Bull Run 
wiiich we crossed at half past two the next morning, liaving been 
on foot twenty-four hours and uiarched thirty-two miles. 

From the 15th to the 20th the regiment oscillated between 
Centreville and Fairfax. The enemv in the meantime had 
destroyed the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and begun to fall 
l»auk to his old quarters across the Kapidan. As fast as the road 
could be repair^'d the army of the Potomac follo\ved. On the 
m')nrniii' of >fov. 7th the T .veutiet Ii, uoa' uudi'i- the couiniand of 
Major Ellis Spear, was in camp at Three Mile Station. The Rap- 
pahannock river at Rappahannock Station was held by the rebel 
briu'ades of Hoke and Hayes which it was now determined to attack. 
Eighty men under Capt. Morrill were detailed from the Twen- 
tieth for the skirmish fine wiiich in the advance had gained a 
position behind the railroad embankment, when the Sixth Corps 
moved to the attack on the right. Seeing the gallant advance of 
the line in that direction Capt. Morrill's party dashed forward 



20 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

wltli the Sixth Maine Regiment and entered the works simulta- 
neously with them. The Twentieth lost in this brilliant aflfair 
one man killed and seven wounded. 

The next day the regiment crossed the Rappahannock at 
Kelly's Fold and emcamped two miles from the river where oc- 
curred the "liard tack" drill. Towards evening on the ninth we 
recrossed the river and passed a cold and uncomfortable night 
near the ford. 

About this time Col. Hayes of the 18th Massachusetts took 
command of the brigade. On the 10th Ave crossed the river again 
and at sunrise on the 26lh mai'ched to the Rapidan which was 
crossed and the march continued with frequent halts till eight 
o'clock at night. On the 29th our advance was made to Mine 
Run where the brigade took a position under a brisk fire from 
the enemy's lines which weie not more than three h.nndred yards 
distant. We remained before the works of the enemy until the 
night of Dec. 2d wlien we folded our tents like the Arabs and 
silently stole away, the Third Brigade forming the rear guard. 

Dec. 4th the Twentieth went into camp at Rappahannock Sta- 
tion for the purpose of guarding the railroad l)rid.;(! during the 
winter. The rifle pits which had been captured a month before 
and which had become the last ditch for many rebel dead, were 
graded oflf and comfortable quarters erected thereon. The offi- 
cers, lucky souls, sent to Maine for their wives and the rank and 
file contented themselves with an occasional furlough. Here 
was spent the gayest winter in the history of the Twentieth. 

This old battle flag in which we naturally feel so much pride, 
hud now become tattered and torn and a new set of colors were 
procured. The old flag was presented to General Ames and deliv- 
ered to him in Rockland while on leave of absence that winter. 
You remember, comiades, how you stood by that flag at Aiitie- 
tam and Shejjherdstown ; how you jilanted it on Little Round 
Top and defended it through the fierce assaults of that memora- 
ble day ; and you remember too how 

"In the brilliant glare of tlie summer air, 

With a brisk breeze around it creeping. 
Newly bright through the glistening light. 

The flag went grandly sweeping : 
Gleaming and bold were its braiils of gold. 

And flitsiied in the run-ray's kissing; 
Red, white, and blue were of deepest hue, 

And none of the stars were missing." 



TWEl<fTIETH MAINE RE(iIMENT ASSOCIATION. ^ 21 

Previous to the opening of the campaign of 1864 a reorganiz- 
ation of the army took phice. The old First Brigade of our 
division was broken up and the Hundred-and-eighteenth Pennsyl- 
vania and the Eighteenth Massacliusetts joined the Third Brig- 
ade. Gen. Warren was placed in command of the Fifth Corps, 
Gen. Griffin retained the First Division and Gen. F>artlett took 
the Third Brigade. On the first day of May the winter quarters 
of the Twentieth at Rappahannock were broken up and the Brig- 
ade marched across the river to a camp east of Brandy Station, 
where the Fifth Corps, now composed of thirty thousand men, 
Avas concentrating. On the morning of the 4th tlie regiment 
with about three hundred rifles, under command of Maj'-r Spear, 
crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and entered upon those 
movements known as the battles of the "Wilderness," the mem- 
ory of wl)ich appears to tliose who took part in those sanguinary 
conflicts, more like a dreadful nightmare than a reality. That 
night the brigade bivouacked on the Orange and Fredricksburg 
turnpike near the old Wilderness Tavern. On the moi'uing of 
the 5th, the army was extended along the roads in the densest 
portion of the Wilderness and the enemy were soon found to be 
rapidly advancing for the purpose of crushing our line before it 
could be concentrated. Upon our division devolved the duty of 
engaging the attention of the enemy until the rest of the army 
could get into positi(ui. The Third Brigade which occupied the 
centre, was formed in two lines, the Twentieth being in the 
second line. When the order was given to advance all tliree 
brigades started on the double-quick with a yell, di-iving the en- 
emy in confusion back upon his reserves. Finding tlie Sixth 
Corps had failed to connect on the right, tlie First Bi'igade fell 
back while the Third continued to advance. The enemy quickly 
took advantage of this and opened a murderous fire on our right 
from across the road. At the same time the Second Brigade on 
the left was being driven back by a heavy force. The Third 
Brigade was now alone with both flanks exposed. In the con- 
fusion each commander acted on his own judgment and a large 
part of the brigade broke for the rear on the run. At length the 
ordei' was given to retire. The Twentieth was the last to leave 
the field bringing off with them a large squad of prisoners and in 
the retreat was obliijed to make a detour to the left to avoid a 
force of the enemy which held the open field across which the 
line had first charged. The breast works built in the morning 



22 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

were finally reached and the line re-established. The contest 
was short but the regiment lost about ninety men killed wounded 
aud missing, among them Capt. Morrill of Company B. severely 
wounded in the face. Nearly all the prisoners were wounded 
and taken by the skirmish line in our rear. At dawn of the 6th 
the reijijnent moved out to the open field where it fought the day 
before and on the right of the road, and established a skirmish 
line in the opening with the main part of the regiment in the 
edge of the woods, sheltered by the brow of a hill, where it. lay 
all day under fire, losing two men killed and ten wounded. 
Towards night an attack upon the Sixth Corps swept it back 
until the tiring appeared to be in the -rear and there begun to be 
quite a panic among the regiments of our division but the 
Twentieth stood firm until the fighting was over when the brig- 
ade was ordered back into breastworks. At nine o'clock the next 
mornino- the Twentieth and Hundred-and-ei«:hteenth were ordered 
to charge into the woods in front and develop the enemy's 
strength. The skirmishers were driven in at a run until the line 
came in sight of the enemy's old position when he opened with a 
battery which a larger force could have carried, but with two 
regiments it was impossible. It was evident, however, the main 
body of the enemy had withdrawn and our force retired a short 
distance where a skirmish line was deployed and the Twentieth 
placed in support. In this movement the regiment lost thirteen 
killed and wounded. All were brought off except Lieut. F. W. 
Lane, Company B. who was struck in the head by a piece of shell 
and taken prisoner. He died in a rebel hospital a few days later. 
Lieut. J. M. Sherwood was severely wounded and died that 
night. At dark the army began to move towards S|iotsylvania 
and the Twentieth and Hundred-and-eighteenth remained on the 
line where they had spent the day as a part of the rear guard of 
the corps. At midnight they sjlently withdrew and followed the 
corps. Towards noon of the 8th as they approached Spotsylva- 
nia there was cannonading at the front and they then heard of 
the morning's battle in which the Third Brigade had suffered so 
terribly. The regiment had halted for breakfast when they were 
ordered to the front and placed temporarily in Crawford's divi- 
sion, supi>orting a skirmish line in front of the enemy's position 
at Laurel Hill. The regiment changed positions several times 
and during the afternoon was subjected to a severe shelling but 
had only one man wounded. At four o'clock the Twentieth was 
allowed to go a short distance to the rear to Qook hard tack and 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 23 

make coffee — the tirst coffee the men had had for three days. 
At half past six they went to the front again and were placed in 
the third line for an attack on the enemy's position. The third 
line advanceil up tlie hill and lay doivn until support should be 
needed. At dark the enemy charged. The lines in front of the 
Twentieth divided and fell back to right and left and the enemy 
came suddenly up:»n the third line, causing the regiment on the 
left to retreat in confusion and forcing the Twentieth back about 
two rods. Then ensued a desperate hand-to-hand tight in the 
darkness. Friend coidd hardly be distinguished from foe ; men 
fou^lit single combats ; revolvers came into play and officers 
found their swords for once useful. The rea-iment took about 
eighty prisoners and lost six killed, fifteen wounded and two miss- 
ing. Capt. W. W. Morrill was killed while cheering on his men 
and Lieutenants Melcher and Pi-ince were wounded. Fighting 
ceased about nine o'clock I)ut the regiment remained in the same 
position till morning when it rejoined the brigade. During the 
night troops in the reai' thrinv out pickets and refused to believe 
that any Union force was so far to the front. The conduct of 
the officers and men of the Twentieth on this occasion was worthy 
of all praise. 

During- the 9th the regiment obtained rest for the first time 
since crossing the Rapidan. About five o'clock in the afternoon 
the brigade supported an attack in which the enemy were driven 
back. Towards the evening of the 10th the First and Third 
Brigades went to the front and prepared to charge in three lines 
upon the enemy's works, but to the great relief of all conc-erned 
the movement was abandoned. This was a lucky day for the 
Twentieth. During the 1 1th the brigade lay in reserve, exposed 
to the fire of artillery and musketry from the front. On the 12th 
the command went to the left and prepared for another charge 
but Gen. Griffin revoked the order. 

The Twentieth moved to the left at ten o'clock on the evening 
of the 13th and arrived in front of the enemy at Spotsylvania Court 
House at five o'clock the next morning, having marched all night 
in mud, rain and darkness. The Twentieth remained in front 
of Spotsylvania from the 14th to the 20th, losing four men killed. 
On the 21st another left flank movement began and the next day 
the brigade was engaged in a skirmish with the enemy. On the 
23d our division reached the North Anna river at Jericho Ford 
and at once commenced crossing. The Twentieth forded the 
stream with the briiiade and at six o'clock that afternoon assisted 



24 SECOND KEUNION OF THE 

in the repulse of the sudden attack on Sweitzer's Brigade. In 
this action Major Spear, commanding the regiment, was slightly 
wounded. The night was spent in throwing up breast works 
behind which the regiment lay till five P. M. the next day when 
it moved to the right and frout about a mile and bivouached 
near the Virginia Central Kailroad. On the 25th the column 
moved down the railroad and found the enemy strongly posted 
at Noell's Station. Breast works were thrown up for self pro- 
tection and for two days a portion of the division was engaged 
in tearing up the railroad. During the heavy picket firing on 
tlie 26th the Twentieth had three men wounded. At dark the 
division withdrew from the iront and marched with short 
intervals of rest till six o'clock tlie next al'ternoon. It was a hard 
march throu<:h a finely cultivated country which had never before 
been visited by the desolation of war. That night for the first 
time in more than tliree weeks the men slept without an appre- 
hension of danger from any quarter. For twenty-two days the 
reuiment had been almost constantly under Kre, and the inen who 
had survived the terrible ordeal wondered how they escaped 
unscathed. 

The Pemunkey river was crossed at Hanover Ferry and the 
march continued without interruption until the 30th, vvhen still 
advancing heavy skirmishing occurred and the line oi entrench- 
ments covering the approaches to Richmond was reached. On 
the first day of June the enemy charged our line and was driven 
back. On the 3d the Twentieth participated in the fight at 
Bethesda church, losing two men killed, one officer. Adjutant 
Donnell, and twenty-three men wounded. The brigade remained 
in this position till the night of the 5th when it was relieved by 
the Ninth Corps and the Fifth Corps lay in reserve till the 1 2th. 
The regiment moved on the night of the r2th and crossed the 
Chickahominy early the next morning. At nine o'clock on the 
morning of the 16tli the Twentieth crossed the James river on a 
steam transport and halted a mile from the river, tlie Fifth Corps 
still being in reserve and the last to cross over. On the morn- 
ing of the 18th the Fifth Corps moved to the front and was 
received with a heavy fire. The Third Brigade being in the 
centre of the division was somewhat concealed by woods through 
which they advanced to an open field where they halted and coui- 
menced throwing up breast works. In the meantime the Second 
Brigade had gained a position close up to the enemy's lines and 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 25 

the First Brigade lead by our Colonel Chamberlain had made a 
charge in which its commander fell severely wounded. For 
gallant conduct on th's occasion Colonel Chamberlain was made 
a Brigadier General on the field by Gen. Grant — the only instance 
of the kind in the history of the war. 

From this time till the 15th of August, the Twentieth occupied 
works in front of Petersburg in close proximity to the enemy and 
generally under fire. These works were gradually strengtliened 
and completed, bomb-proofs were constructed and vast covered 
passages were excavated in every direction. Fvery means were 
taken to provide protection from the mortar batteries and sharp- 
shooters of the enemy but without success. On the 22d of June 
Capt. Samuel T. Keene was killed by a sharpshooter, and the 
regiment lost three men killed and several wounded during their 
occupation of the works. July 30th the Twentieth from their 
position had a fine view of the grand explosion of the mine and 
the grand failure which followed. 

Early on the mcrning of Aug. l.lth the brigade was relieved 
by other troops and encamped in the rear. On the 18th marched 
to the Weldon Railroad which was str-uck about six miles from 
Petersburg and possession taken without opposition. That after- 
noon the enemy made an attack which was repulsed by the 
Second and Third Divisions. The next day another attack in full 
force was made and the Third Brigade went ui) to the right on 
the double-quick but were not needed. Sunday the 21st, in the 
morning while the regiment was packing up for a move, the 
picket line was driven in foUow^ed by the rebels charging in 
several lines, supported by vigorous shelling from their batteries. 
The assault extended some distance to the right but their whole 
line was reytulscd with heavy loss, our division capturing 38 tiffi- 
cers, 300 men and four battle Hags. The Twentieth held a 
splendid position, their fire enfilading the f^neniy completely. It 
was a smart fight and the victory though signal was a bloodless 
one for the Twentieth. 

Sept. 30th the Division moved from the Weldon Railroad with 
the Third Brigade in advance, and found the enemy entrenched 
b-titSi at Prebte^s Fai'm. The woi-ks consisted of a small square fort 
flanked by strong lines of breast works. After some skirmish- 
ing the brigade charged across the open field ni the face of a 
terrible fire of musketry and canister and captured the works 
with one piece of artillery and seventy-one prisoners. The gun, 



26 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

limber, six horses and two prisoners were secured by Lieut. A. E. 
Fernald of tlie Twentieth and an officer of the 32d Massachusetts 
while the rebels were trying to run it off. A division of the Ninth 
Corps then took the advance and being attacked just before dark 
were driven back in confusion. Our division was ordered to the 
front to check the enemy and after one of the fiercest fights of 
the campaign they were repulsed and Griffin's Division, and in 
particular the old Third Brigade, again covered themselves with 
glory. The Twentieth lost during the day one officer, Capt. 
Weston H. Keene, and six men killed and Capt. H. F. Sidelinger, 
Lieut. Alden Miller and fifty men wounded. The brigade com- 
mander being injured just before the assault. Major Spear, the 
only field officer in the biigade, took command, and the Twen- 
tieth passed into the hands of Capt. A. W. Clark of Company E. 

On the 2d of October the Twentieth moved to the fi-ont and 
threw up earth works where they remained until the 2(Uh when 
the regiment took part in a reconiioisance to Hatcher's Run. The 
next day the troops returned to the works, tlie Twentieth acting 
as rear guard and losing one man killed and two wounded. Nov. 
Sth, Lieut. Col. Gilmoie returned and took command and on the 
5th of December the corps was relieved and moved to tlie rear 
on the Jerusalem Plank Road. The next day the corps moved 
out for a raid on the Weldon Railroad which continued to be used 
by the rebels as far as Stony Creek Station. About twenty miles 
of the road was destroyed and the corps returned to camp on the 
Plank Road Dec. 12th. This expedition you will all remember 
as the time when the Fifth Corps got gloriously drunk on "apple 
jack." 

The regiment now supposed that winter quarters had been 
reached and both officers and men worked like beavers in the erec- 
tion of comfortable huts many of wiiich were quite elaborate. 
Major Spear and eight men went to Maine on recruiting service 
Jan. ]5th 1865. Feb. 5th the regiment moved with the corps to 
Hatcher's Run and participated the next day in a second liglit in 
the vicinity of that historic stream with slio-ht loss. After the 
engagement the Twentieth weiit into camp at that ])lace. 

March 13th, Lieut. Col. Gilmore having resigned. Major Ellis 
Spear was commissioned Colonel, Capt. Walter G. Morrill, Lieut, 
Colonel and Capt. Athertoii W. Clark, Major. About the same 
time a special order from the War Department made Charles D. 
Gilmore full Colonel and in consequence Maj. Spear could not be 



TWENTIETH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 27 

mustered. Lieut. Col. Morrill assumed command of the regiment 
and Major Spear was ordered on duty at Corps Headquarters. 

The tiual campaign of the war was now about to open. On 
the 29th of March the Twentieth moved across the run and sup- 
portetl Chamberlain's brigade in the action on the Quaker Road. 
The skirmish the next day resulted in the possession of the Boyd- 
ton Road. On the 31st the regiment had a hand in the action at 
Gravelly Run having several wounded, among them Lieut J. H. 
.Stanwood, comuiandiug Company E. 

April 1st the Fifth Corps was ordered to report to Gen. Sheri- 
dan and acted as a sort of foot cavalry, if I may be permitted to 
use the expression, during the remainder of the campaign. On 
that day the Twentieth joined in the second attack on Five Forks 
and were among the first to gain the works, capturing one battle 
flag and a large number of prisoners. 

Then followed the evacuation of Richmond and the pursuit in 
which the cavalry and the Fifth Corps by their rapid movements 
sealed the fate of Lee's army and when, on the ^h of April, the 
white flag of truce came over the field it was to the division bear- 
insf the red Maltese cross that it came. When the terms of sur- 
render had been arranged Gen. J. L. Chamberlain, who received 
his first baptism of fire while an officer of the Twentieth Maine, 
was designated to command the parade before which the troops 
stacked their arras and colors and on the 12th the same grand old 
division was drawn up with our Third Brigade in the main line 
to witness the last movement of the confederate army of North- 
ern Virginia. 

The regiment arrived at Arlingion Heights May r2th and 
participated in the great review on the 23d. Col. Gilmore 
resigned on the 29th and Major Spear was mustered as Colonel 
and l^apt. A. W. Clark as Major. Col. Spear remained on 
detached duty. On the 4th of June ie65, the veterans of the 
Twentieth were mustered out of the survice and started for Maine 
the day following under the command of Lieut. Col. Morrill, 
arrivinsr in Portland on the Sth 

When the refjiment left Washington the recruits of the Twen- 
tieth were consolidated with those of the Sixteenth and First 
Sharpshooters. This organization was known as the Twentieth 
Maine and remained in the service till Julv 16th. 

('omrades — How vividly these scenes rush before our minds to- 
night, and though they seem more like the fantasm of troubled 



28 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

dreams, yet they can never, never be foi'gotten. Softened by the 
influence of time, tlie motley panoramma passes rapidly before us 
— the weary march, the fierce assault, the hospital and the dreadful 
prison appear upon the canvas stretching from Antietam to 
Appomattox. Along the whole line may be seen the graves of 
our fellow-comrades, the memory of whose deeds remain fresh in 
our own hearts to-night and will be cherished by generations yet 
to come. Their achievements and your achievements made the 
history of the old regiment gloritius, and as in the pride of your 
nationality you exclaim "I am an American citizen !" so in the 
light of your record as a regiment, you may exultantly add : "I, 
too, was a soldier of the Twentieth Maine !" 

While Lieut. Miller was speaking Gen. Chamberlain appeared 
upon the platform and was greeted with cheers. At tlie close of 
the address J. L. Shaw's quartette rendered the song, "All Honor 
to the Soldier Give," in fine style, receiving much applause. 

Gen. Chamberlain was then introduced and spoke briefly, touch- 
ingly and eloquently of the deeds of the Twentieth Maine. He 
complimented the graceful and modest manner in which the facts 
of the history of the Twentieth had been put together and said 
he was astonished to find how short a time he was directly with it. 
His experience with the Twentieth was the most honorable of his 
life. The red Maltese cross he was proud to wear above all the 
badges upon his breast. It was once crimsoned with blood but it 
was now blushing with undying love. No body c>f men who wore 
that badge was worthier than the Twentieth Maine, a regiment 
that, he had the words of generals, from brigade commanders up 
to Meade himself, was held of as great account as any legiment 
that served in the war of the rebellion. They all eagerly gave 
recognition to its heroism and valor, its fortitude and patience. 
For discipline and morals, it bore a character conspicuous in the 
army. In Jeff Davis' history he told one true thing when he 
said, in speaking of the battle of Gettysbui-g, that it was those 
fellows up there on Round Top that spoiled his plans. The 
manly vigor shown by the Twentieth Maine had gone into 
history. In conclusion he said : "But I cannot speak. God 



TWEMIKTH MAINE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION. 29 

bless the old flag and (lod bless you all, again and forever." 

At the close of Gert. Chamberlain's remarks the band played 
a medley and then at the General's request the bugler sounded 
"tattoo." Shaw's quartette sang "Larboard Watch, Ahoy," and 
all united in si'iging "My Country 'tis of Thee" and "Auld l.ang 
Svne," when the audience was dismissed and the business meetinrj 
of the Twentieth Maine Resjiment Association besxan. 
The Association transacted the following business : 

Reading the records of last meeting. 

Reading letters from Gen. Ames, Col. Gilmore, Col. Morrill, 
Maj. .1. F Land, Maj. J. B. Fitch, Capt. Howard L. Prince. 
Lieut. E. R. Sanborn and Sergt. W. T. Livermoie. (A letter 
from Col. Ellis Spear was received too late for the leunion.) 

The following committee was nominated to sekct a board of 
officers for the Association : J. H. Stan wood, W. K. Bickford, 
Franklin True. The ccnnmittee subsequently reported the 
following : 

Fresicleiit, H. S. Melcher, Portland. 
Vice President, J. B. Wescott, Bath. 
Secretary, S. L. Miller, Waldoboro. 

The report was accepted and the nominations contirmed. 
Report of Secretary and Treasurer read and approved. 
A motion to pifcsent the colors to the State was not'carried. 
Voted, That trie Executive Committee confer with Gen. Ames 
in regard to keeping tlie old baitle flag in the posession of the 
association. 

Voted, That the Lincoln Colnty News be made the organ of 
the Association. 

Voted, That the Secretary be instructed to liave the historical 
address published in pamphlet form. 

A contribution of $10.73 was taken for associational purposes. 
Adjourned. 

Thursday forenoon the Twentieth, numbering sixty men, under 
the command («f Capt. R. H. Plummer, joined the parade and 



30 SECOND REUNION OF THE 

were much cheered as they bore their old battle flag along the 
route of the procession. 

Thursday afternoon about forty members of the Twentieth, 
commanded by Capt. Plumraer, participated in the sham fight. 

Thursday evening a )>usiness meeting was held at regimental 
headquarters for the purpose of deciding upon a badge. At this 
meeting it was 

Voted, That the Executive Committee be authorized to pro- 
cure badges, worth one dollar each, for the use of the associa- 
tion. 

Voted, That the badges be procured in season for the next 
reunion. 

Voted, That the next reunion of the Twentieth Maine be held 
with the general reunion of the soldiers and sailors of Maine. 

After a general and affecting hand-shakiug the veterans of the 
Twentieth regiment separated. 



Letter from General Ames, 



The President of the Twentieth Maine Regiment Association 
has received the following letter from General Ames, which will 
be readily understood : 

New York, Oct. 3, 1881. 
Dear Sir : — 

Returning to the city after a long absence I find yours of the 
10th ult. 

Out of respect for the wishes of the Association I withdraw my 
request to have the colors delivered over to the State authorities. 
The further request that they may be used on occasions of parade 
and assembly I also acquiesce in. .1 will leave thera with your 
association for the present, at least, knowing the respect and 
attention they will receive. Yours truly, 

A. Ames. 
H. S. Melcher, 

President Twentieth Maine Volunteers Association 

Portland, Maine. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




t 



